Hair cutter



W. J. VAN OSDEL. I

HAIR CUTTER.- APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, I921- 1,409,2 07. Patented Mar. 14,1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I- W. J. VAN OSDEL.

HAIR CUTTER. APPLICATION FILED JAN-7,1921.

d W m an. m I. P

w. J. VAN osou.

I III [Mull-HI! HAIR CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 1. 192x.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. VAN OSDEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LOUIS SPERIJING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HAIR ou'rrnn.

Application filed January 7, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM J. VAN OSDEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hair Cutters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hair cutters of the power driven type, and one of the objects of the invention is to improve and simplify the construction thereof whereby the cost of manufacture will be greatly reduced and the labor and skill necessary for assembling the parts will be reduced to a minimum.

A further object is to provide improved means whereby the handle will be prevented from becoming heated.

A further object is to provide improved means whereby the device may be hung up or suspended from a support when not in use.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention and in which Figure 1 is a top plan view showing the device suspended.

Figure 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section and as taken on line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view as taken on line 3-3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view with parts omitted.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the handle with all of the parts omitted and showing the head sections in the handle separated.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of a detail.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8S, Figure 4:.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9, Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on line 1010, Figure a.

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view of the driving shaft bearing member.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

Serial no. 435,593.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the cutter operating lever.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of Figure 12 showing the parts of the lever separated.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on line l t-14, Figure 2.

Figure 15 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of driving shaft bearing member.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 20 designates generally a handle which may be constructed of any desired size and configuration. Arranged at one end of the handle is a head embodying separable sections 2122. The section 22, is preferably provided with an inclined portion 23, at the forward part of the base thereof and to which portion 23, is secured a stationary cutter element 24. The portion 25, of the base of the element-22. is arranged at an angle to the portion 23, and is adapted to engage and rest upon a flange 26, carried by the head section 21, at the base thereof and this flange 26, is provided with an upwardly projecting portion 27, adapted to be seated in a recess 28, in the portion 2st, of the element 22, so as to hold the head sect-ions against longitudinal displacement. The flange 26, is provided with a threaded opening 29, therethrough and the portion 25, of the element 22, is also provided with an opening 30, therethrough adapted to register with the openin 29, when the head sections are assembled. The opening 29, is provided with a screwthread so as to receive the end of a fastening bolt 31, for securing the parts together.

Ifdesired, and in order to serve as a guide for positioning the head sections with respect to each other and for preventing lateral displacement while assembling the parts, there may be provided an upwardly projecting flange or boss 32, encompassing the opening 29, and which boss is adapted to enter a recess encompassing the open ing 30, in the element 22. Y

Thus when the sections are assembled and the fastening bolt 31, placed in position, the head sections will be securely connected.

Carried by the section 22, is an uCpwardly projecting post or spindle 34, provi ed with threads 35, on the extremity thereof.

The handle 20, is provided with a longitudinal bearing 36, opening through the ends thereof and this hearing 36, is enlarged as at 37, at the point where it opensthrough the forward endof the handle. Arranged within the bearing 36, and spaced therefrom is a tubular bearing element 38, which may be of any desired diameter but is of an external diameter somewhat smaller than the diameter of the bearing opening 36, so as to form an air circulation space 39, about the bearing member-38, and between the member and the handle 20. y

This bearing member 38, may be held spaced from the walls of the bearing 36, in any. suitable manner but preferably by flanges 4041 atthe extremities thereof.

The flange 41 is adapted to engage and rest against a shoulder 42, in the handle 20,

and the flange .40, is preferably provided with athreaded opening 43, adapted to receive a fastening device or screw 44, and which latter passes through the handle 20,

and serve as a means for maintaining the bearing member against displacement.

, Arranged within the bearing member 38, is a longitudinal drive shaft 45, which is provided at one end with a worm 46, preferably of a diameter somewhat larger than the diameter of the shaft 45, so as to form a shoulder between the shaft and worm which abuts the end of the bearing member 38. The other end of the shaft 45, is preferably bifurcated as at 47, to receive the end 48, of a flexible shaft housed within a casing 49, the end of the casing 49, being provided with aprojecting portion 50, which extends into the open end of the handle 20. This portion50, is provided with a beveled extremit" 5i and a circumferential roove 52.

Carried by the handle 20, and projecting V thereinto for a short distance transversely of the bearing opening 36, is a spring controlled pin' 53, having a handle 54, and" a shoulder 55. Encompassing the pin 53, is .a spring 56, which rests against the shoulder 55,'and also against aremovable plug 57, the spring acting to normally project the extremity of the pin 53, into the opening or hearing 36, so that when the end 50,lof the flexible shaft is insertedinto the open end i of the handle to cause the end 48, to telescope with the-shaft 45, the beveled extremity "51,.thereof will engage the end of the pin 53, and force the same against the stressof the spring 56, to permit the end of the portion 50, to pass the pin. When the end 48, is seated tthe spring 56, will cause the end of the pin 53, to enter the groove or recess 52, and lock the shaft imposition.

With this construction it'will be manifest that there is provided a positive lock for the shaft to' prevent the same from becoming accidentallydisengaged fromthe handle but,

when it isodesired' to disengage the shaft, the

operator may grasp the handle 54, of the pin 53, to retract the latteragainst thestress of the spring 56, and thereby move the extremity of the pin out'of the groove 52, to permit the shaft to be detached. 7

A removable end thrust bearing 58, having a hardened projecting portion 59, is removably seated in the open end of the enlarged portion 37, in. the handle and against which portion 59, the adjacent end of the shaft 55, abuts. This bearing 58, is detached from the handle and is held in position by means of a portion of the removablesection 22, of the head. The head section 22, is provided'with spaced upwardly projecting wallseor flanges6061, terminating adjacent the edge 62, of the section 22, and these ends areadapted to abut the face 62,'of the head section 21, and when in position the end of the, flange 60, will project over and engage the end thrust bearing 58, as shown more cl'early'in Figures-4 and 9.Thus it will be seen that when the head section 22, is in position the end thrust bearing will be held against removal but, when the head section '22, is removed the end thrust bearing 58, may also be readily removed which will permit the shaft 45, with the worm 46, thereon to be withdrawn through the front or head of the device and will also permit the bearing member 38,10 be also withdrawn when the fastening 'device'44, is removed. 'iirranged within the head section 30, is chamber 64, and in which chamber is arranged a worm wheel 65, rotatable about an axis 66, carried by the bottom of the chamber The chamber 64, is provided with an open portion adjacent the worm 46', so as to permit the worm 46, and-the worm wheel 65, to mesh, and when the shaft 45, is rotated it will be manifest that theworm wheel 65', will also be rotated.- 1 V V Pivotally mounted uponthc face'of the worm wheel 65, by meansof a pinor stud 67, (see particularly Figures 4 and 10) is a bearingblock 68, having a flange 69, at the base thereof and which flange rests against the face of the wormwheel 65. 7 V

S]idably-mounted upon the fixed station-- ary cutter blade 24, is a reciprocating cutter element 70, preferably of a construction well known in this art. This'cutter element, '70, is given a reciprocating movement with respect to'the cutter element 24, by means of a lever, shown more clearly in Figures 4, l2 andl3.

This lever embodies two sections 71 and 72, provided respectively with openings 73-74, adapted to be brought into register .5

threads 77, adapted to receive-a nut or collar 78. When the lever sections are placed thereon, the collar 78, is adapted to be forced upon the threads 77, to a sufficient extent to cause the two lever sections or elements to be frictionally held in predetermined positions. The section 71, is bifurcated as at 79, while the'free extremity of the section 72, is preferably deflected downwardly as at 80.

lVith the parts of the lever thus assembled the lever is placed in position by placing the barrel or hub 75, upon the upright spindle or stud 84, so that the section 71, of the lever will extend into the housing 64, of the handle and will receive in its bifurcated end 79, the bearing block 68, carried by the worm wheel 65, and the downwardly projecting extremity 80 of the section 72, will be 0peratively connected with the reciprocating cutter element 70, in a manner well known in this art. The lever section 71, when thus placed in position will be completely housed by the upwardly projecting flanges 6061 on the head section 22, and the wall of the housing 64.

It sometimes happens in the manufacture of devices of this character that it is necessary to adjust the opposite extremities of the lever with respect to each other so as to cause the lever to be properly positioned and properly actuate the reciprocating cutter element 70. Heretofore such adjustment has been accomplished by bending the ends of the lever with respect to each other, but this has been found to be a tedious operation and is often inaccurate with the further result that the parts become damaged or mutilated.

All of these objections are overcome by the present construction of lever and by providing a lever constructed of two sections adjustable relatively with respect to each other. When it is desired to affect such an adjustment it may be readily accomplished by turning the lever sections one with relation to the other. This can be done either by loosening the nut or collar78, or by overcoming the friction which binds the lever sections together. After the proper adjustment of the parts has been obtained they may be securely fastened together and against further adjustment by means of a fastening pin or device 81, which passes through the head 76, of the hub 7 5, and through openings which may be drilled through the lever sections 71-72, as shown more clearly in Figure 3 of the drawings.

A closure 82, is provided for the housing formed by the'walls of the housing 64, and the flanges 6061, and if desired the closure may be provided with a lip 83, having an aperture 84, therethrough adapted to receive the end of a fastening screw 85, and which screw engages the handle 20, as shown more clearly in Figure 2.

Atension cap 86, is provided for the cutter element. This cap is provided with an opening adapted to receive the spindle or post 84-, and which latter projects for some distance above the cap. The forward edge 87, of the cap terminates adjacent the reciprocating cutter element 70, and projects over the head section 21, of the handle. One or more lips or projections 88, (see particularly Figures 3 and 8) may be provided on the cap 86, which engage and rest upon the closure 82, for assisting in holding the closure 82, against accidental displacement.

The sides 89, of the cap 86, are flared out and project rearwardly for a considerable distance and are spaced from the lateral edges of the head so as to form a means whereby a supporting hook or device 90 (see Figure 1) may be engaged thereby and by means of which flared sides and supporting device the cutter may be hung up or suspended when not in use.

The cap 86, is held in position in any manner well known in this art, such as by means of a thumb nut 91, which engages the threaded extremity 35, of the stud or post 34, and a spring washer or collar 92, may be interposed between the nut 91, and the cap 86.

As a means for preventing accidental displacement and to prevent unnecessary adjustment of the nut 91, which would vary the tension upon the cutter, a lock nut or collar 98, may be provided and is mounted upon the threaded extremity 35, of the stud 34, and engages the nut 91. Thus it will be seen that after the nut 91, has been properly adjusted it may be locked in position by means of the lock nut 93.

As a means whereby the cutter operating lever maybe lubricated, there may be pro vided, if desired, a channel or passage 9-1, opening through the end of the stud 34, and which passage communicates with the lateral passage 9:"), adjacent the hub 75, of the lever.

The shaft 45, may be lubricated by removing the flexible shaft a9, and dropping lubricating oil into the hollow end 96, (see Figure 2) of the shaft and which lubrication will be discharged" through the lateral discharge passage 97 into the bea ring member" or element 38. As the shaft 45, is rotated in its bearing the friction between the shaft and the bearing element will generate heat and in order to prevent the heat thus genrated from heating the handle 20, to such an extent that it will be uncomfortable to be held by the operator after the device has been in operation for a short time, there is provided the air circulation passage 89, around the bearing element 38, and between the element and handle 20. This space 39, communicates with any desired number of radially disposed passages or openings 98, which extend through the handle 20, so that the heated air within the space 39, may readily escape and thereby keep the handle 20 cool. If desired, there may be provided longitudinalgrooves 99 around the periphery of the handle communicating with the passages 98. 1 V

With this improved construction it will be manifest that-all of the operating parts are completely housed andthere will be no moving part of the device with which the hand of the operator may come into contact, the only moving part 'beingthe reciprocating cutter element 70, at the same time and although completely housed, access may be readily had to'the operating parts and when the closure 82, is removed from the gear casing or housing and in the event that the the end flanges, 101-102, for spacingv the same from the walls of the opening 36, in the handle 20, and encompassing the member 100, is a spirally arranged cooling rib 1 03, the periphery of the rib being disposed manipulated. V V lVhile the preferred form of the inventionhas been herein shown and described it in, planes spaced from theplanes of the peripheries of the flanges 101102, so that the rib will not engage the wall of the opening 36, thereby increasing the radiating or cooling surface of the bearing member. I

lVith this improved construction it will also be manifest that the cost of manufacture will be reduced to a minimum inasmuch as the handle sections may be readily formed by die casting thereby reducingto a minimum the amount oi machine work necessary for the completion of the device.

Itwill also be manifest that the single handle is arranged in such a manner with respect to the remaining portion 7 of the mechanism that the entire device will be completely balanced and is of such a shape that-itcan be readily grasped and easily is to be understood that various changes may be made in the'details of construction and in the combination and arrangementof the several parts, within the scope of the claims,

without departing from the spirit of this secured to said section, a reciprocating cut;

ter co-operating with the first recited cutter,

a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon the post and operatively connected with the reciprocating cutter to actuate the latter, a drive shaft having an extended bearing in said handle, and an operative connection between the said shaft and the said lever for moving the latter about its pivot.-

2. A cutter embodying a handle provided with a head at one end, said head havinga shoulder at the forward end thereof, a cutter carrying section removably engaging said shoulder, means detachably securing the said section to the said shoulder, a cutter carried by the said section, a reciprocating cutter co-operating with the first recited cutter, a drive shaft carried by the handle and housed therein, a removable end thrust bearing for the shaft, whereby the shaft maybe removed through the said head, a portion of the said cutter section operating to hold the end thrust bearing against removal, and,

an operative connection between the said shaft and the said reciprocating cutter.

3. A cutter embodying a handle provided with a head at one end, said head having a shoulder .at the forward end thereof, a cutter carrying section removably engaging said shoulder, meansdetachably securing the said section to the said shoulder, a cutter carried by the said section, a reciprocating cutter co-operating with the first recited cut} ter, a drive shaft carried by the handle and housed therein, a removable end thrust bearing for the shaft, whereby the shaft may be removed through the said head, a portion of the saidcutter section operating to'hold the end thrust bearing against removal, a

pivotally mounted lever for actuating the.

reciprocating cutter, and a freely separable and operative connection between thesaid lever and the drive shaft.

4-. A cutter embodying ahandle provided with a head atone end, said head having a shoulder at the forward end thereof, a cutter earring section removably engaging said shoulder, means detachably. securing the said section to the said shoulder, a cutter carried by the said section,- a reciprocating cutter co-operating withthefirst recited cutter, a drive shaft carriedby the handle and housed therein, a removable end thrust bearing for the shaft, whereby the shaft may be removed through the said head, a portion of the said cutter'section operating to hold the end thrust bearing against removal, a pivotally mounted actuating lever for the reciprocating cutter,.a freely separable and operative connection between the said lever and the drive shaft,sa1d connection embody ing a gear, portion of the said headandthe said's'ectionbeing shaped. to form a hous ing for the gear and a portion of the said r.

lever, and a. removable closure for. the hous jacent the said head, a drive shaft journaled in the bearing, a loosely mounted end thrust bearing for the shaft, said bearing closing the said opening, aportion of the removable section of the said head extending over the said end thrust bearing for maintaining the latter in position, and an operative connection between the said shaft and one of the cutter elements for causing a relative I movement of the cutter elements.

6. A hair cutter embodying handle, a head carried by one end of the handle, said head embodying separable sections, having interengaging portions, a single fastening device for securing the said sections together, co-operating cutter elements carried by the head and reciprocable one with relation to the other, a longitudinal bearing in the handle opening through the front end thereof adjacent the said head, a drive shaft jour naled in .the bearing, a loosely mounted end thrust bearing for the shaft, said bearing closing'the said opening, a portion of the removable section of the said head extending over the said end thrust bearing for maintaining the latter in position, and an operative connection between the said shaft and one of the cutter elements for causing a relative movement of the cutter elements.

7 A hair cutter embodying a handle, co operating and relatively movable cutter ele ments carried by one end thereof, an elongated bearing member housed within the handle, said bearing member being of an external diameter considerably smaller than the diameter of the opening in the handle in which it is contained and having contact with the wall of said opening only at spaced intervals to form an air circulation space therearound and within the handle, there being air openings extending through the handle and having communication with the said space, a drive shaft journaled in the said bearing member, and an operative connec tion between the said shaft and one of the said cutter elements for actuating the latter.

8. A hair cutter embodying a handle, cooperating and relatively movable cutter elements carried by one end thereof, an elongated bearing member housed within the handle, said bearing member being of an external diameter considerably smaller than the diameter of the opening in the handle in which it is contained, spacing means interposed between the said bearing member and the "wall of the said opening for maintaining the former spaced from the latter to form an extended air circulation passage therebetwcen and within the handle, there being air openings extending through the handle and having communication with the said space, a drive shaft journaled in the said bearing member, and an operative connection between the said shaft and one of the said cutter elements for actuating the latter.

9. A hair cutter embodyinga handle. a head at one end thereof, said head embodying separable sections, relatively movable cutter elements carried by one of the head sections, a drive shaft carried by the handle, an operative connection between the shaft and one of the cutter elements for actuating the latter, said connection embodying a gear element and a lever detachably. connected therewith, the said head sections having recessed portions co-operating to form an open housing for the said gear element and a portion of the said lever, and a removable closure for the housing whereby access may be readily had thereinto while the head sections and operating mechanism remain intact.

10. ,A hair cutter embodying a handle, a head at one end thereof, said head embodying separable sections, relatively movable cutter elements carried by one of the head sections, a drive shaft carried by the handle, an operative connection between the shaft and one of the cutter elements for actuating the latter, said connection embodying a gear element and a lever detachably connected therewith, the said head sections having recessed portions co-operating to form an open housing for the said gear element and a portion of the said lever, a removable closure for the housing whereby access may be readily had thcreinto while the head sections and the operating mechanism remain intact, and a cap element for maintaining the said cutter elements in operative relation, said cap element extending over and engaging the said closure and operating to prevent removal thereof.

11. A hair cutter embodying a cutter supporting structure, a movable cutter, actuating means therefor, a removable cap extending over the cutter, and fastening means for the cap, a portion of the cap being shaped to form a support engaging portion whereby the cutter may be hung upon a support.

12. A hair cutter embodying a cutter supporting structure. a movable cutter, actuating means therefor, a removable cap extending over the cutter, and fastening means for the cap, portions of the cap being flared out or spaced from the remaining portions of the device to form open portions of the reception of a supporting device.

In a hair cutter, a cutter cap shaped to form a support or hook engaging ,tion for suspending the cutter.

14. In a hair cutter, a removable cutter cap-shaped to form a plurality of support or hook engaging the cutter. r v

15. A hair cutter having a removable cutter cap shaped to form a support or portions for suspending hook enga in' aortion for sus aeiidinv the s. b 23 r:

cutter, and means for removably securing the :cap in pos tion upon the cutter.

16. A hair cutter embodyingcutter ele-' ments relatively reciprocable, means for causing such relative movement, the said means embodying a two part actuating lever,

means for adj ustably securiiigthesaid parts, and furthc r means for locking said parts in adjusted position.

17. A hair cutter embodying cutter elements relatively reciprocable, means for causing such relative movement, the said means embodying a two part actuating lever, means frictionally securing the lever parts together for relative adjustment to permit a proper relative positioning of the said parts, and means for positively securing the parts against further adjustment after such aninitia'l adjustment. V

18. A hair cutter embodying-cutter elements relatively freciprocable, means for causingsuch relative movement, the said means embodying a threaded hub, a-two part lever each of which parts is pivotally connected with the said hub, a collar threaded upon the hub. for frictionally binding the lever .parts for relative adjustment, and a fastening pin passing through the hub and the said lever parts for securing the parts alter said initialadjustment and against adjust the diameter of the opening in the handle in which it is contained, means carried bythe member and spaced longitudinally thereof for maintaining the bearing member spaced from the wall of the open ng n which t is contained, whereby an a air circulation space will be formed therearound,'there being one or more air openings through the handle communicating with the said space,

means rem'ovably holding the bearing mem- V in the bearing member and operativelyconnected with one of the said cutter elements.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, on this 31st day of December,A. I920.

Wi LiAM J. van osDELQ her in position, and a driving shaft j our-naled 

